Reel-type oven for baking



Jan. 30, 1951 s, HOWARD 2,539,423

REEL-TYPE OVEN FOR BAKING Filed April 19, 1946 1-0 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 /./O6 H ll i Y I .i. /0@ I! I 77 62 Ill 1 l I l l INVENTOR.

1/727/3/ wocdaru Jan. 30, 1951 s. T. HOWARD REEL-TYPE OVEN FOR BAKING 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19, 1946 INVENTOR. 17 6 )0 I1! firroBlYE V Jan. 30, 1951 s. T. HOWARD REEL-TYPE OVEN FOR BAKING 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 19, 1946 INVENTOR. kfiy/ef KJ/OQQ'V'O/ Jan. 30, 1951 s, T, HOWARD 2,539,423

REEL-TYPE OVEN FOR BAKING :10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 19, 1946 a gr ' fg ef {Woodard ,qrfoR/VEY 1951 s'. 'r. HOWARD 2,539,423

REEL-TYPE OVEN FOR BAKING Filed April 19, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

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REEL-TYPE OVEN FOR BAKING Filed April 19, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 J/gf/Z =5:=; :9;i' JO I i I I w 5i I c H '1.

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REEL-TYPE OVEN FOR BAKING Filed April 19 1946 10 SheetsSheet 8 IN V EN TOR.

27 froR NEY Jan. 30, 1951 s. T. HOWARD 2,539,423

REEL-TYPE OVEN FOR BAKING Filed April 19, 19 6 I 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVEN TOR.

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HTTORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 18 Claims.

The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a baker's oven, and more particularly, to an oven of the reel type used in the baking of bread, pastry and like products.

The invention has for one of its principal objects the provision of an oven of the kind described wherein a uniform heating and baking of the products therein is made possible, thus assuring a uniform texture and quality of the products.

Another object of this invention is to provide an oven heated by a fuel burner in which the fuel is fed under pressure to a spark-ignited burner and in which the burner and fuel feed are operated intermittently to maintain substantially constant temperature conditions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a reel-type oven so constructed, and having a burner and flue so arranged, that an even distribution of heat throughout the baking space is assured whereby an even heating of the products of the oven is obtained, whether the operating temperature of the oven is high or low and whether the burner is continuously or intermittently operated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reel-type oven having a temperature-regulating system consisting of a time-controlling device operating and controlling the burner intermittently.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an oven having an intermittently operated burner and having a temperature-control sys tem for selectively determining the period of intermittent burning and thus regulating the amount of heat ultimately produced.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an automatic lubricating system for the driving mechanism of an oven of the type described, whereby the parts of the driving mechanism are automatically kept in a thoroughly lubricated condition, which ordinarily would be lacking because of the proximity of such parts to the highly heated portions of the oven.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved reel-type oven having shelves for supporting baking pans, and a screen for covering each of the pans to prevent overbaking the tops of the products.

The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by the provision of an oven of the reel type having a constructionf and arrangement of parts, and a burner and timing system as described in the following specification and illustrated in the drawings accompanying the same wherein:

Figure l is a front elevational view of the reel-type oven of this invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of of this invention;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the oven looking at the burner end of the oven;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view looking at the exhaust end of the oven;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oven taken on line 55 of Figure 3 and showing the interior construction and with the fuel tank removed;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the oven taken on line G-6 of Figure 5 and showing the interior construction;

Figure 7 is a detail plan view of one of th the oven baking pan shelves with the screen thereon and with parts cut away to show the construction;

Figure 8 is a detail front elevational view of the baking pan shelf with the screen thereon and with parts cut away to show the construction;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional detail of the baking pan shelf with the screen thereon taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing one end of the baking pan shelf with the screen thereon;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary oblique detail showing the release position of the mechanism for holding the pan screen in raised position;

Figure 11a is an enlarged fragmentary detail in plan view of the pan screen holding mechanism in holding or locking position;

Figure 12 is an enlarged oblique detail of part of the driving mechanism for the oven radiator and reel, and showing the lubricating mechanism;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail of the lubricating mechanism;

Figure 14 is an enlarged detail end view of the lubricating mechanism;

Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view of the oven taken on line i5-l5 of Figure 1, and with part of the oven broken away;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary detail showing the control linkage for operating the timing mechanism;

Figure 17 is a detail front elevational view of the timing mechanism;

Figure 18 is a detail side elevational view of the timing mechanism;

Figure 19 is a rear elevational view of the timing mechanism with the back wall and wiring removed to show the interior construction;

Figure 20 is a. sectional detail taken on line 28-28 of Figure 19 with part of the mechanism removed;

Figure 21 is a circuit diagram showing the electrical connection between the several parts, shown diagrammatically; and

Figure 22 is a fragmentary sectional detail taken on line 22-22 of Figure 3 and showing the burner mechanism.

In the drawings, l is the body of the oven which is of cylindrical shape and composed of inner and outer cylindrical shells 2 and 3, respectively, circular end member 6i at the burner end of the oven and circular end member at the exhaust end. The inner cylindrical shell 2 is formed of sheet metal reinforced at intervals along its length by the circular steel angle members 5 (Figure 5) and at the ends by the rings 7!, also or steel angle. Longitudinally positioned spaced-apart angle members 8 (Figure 6) connect the end ring angles l and define therewith a wide door opening 9 in the front of the oven body. The outer cylindrical shell 3 of the oven body is likewise of sheet metal spaced from the inner cylindrical shell by the reinforcing angles 6 and end rings 1, and the space between the two shells is preferably filled with suitable insulating material it), such as asbestos. The outer shell 3 is preferably made of two circular sections II and i2, each fastened to one of the door-opening angles 8 and connected to each other in tight relationship at the bottom of the oven body by suitable means, such as the bolts l3 passing through angles 14 secured to the sections H and I2.

The end members 4 and 5 each consist of inner and outer spaced-apart circular sheet-metal plates I5 and 15, respectively (Figure 5). The inner plates l5 each have secured thereto a frame I! of angles, and a peripheral ring l8, which serve to stiffen and reinforce the end members. Insulating material l9, such as asbestos, fills the space between the inner and outer plates l5 and I8. An opening 20 is formed in each of the end members 4 and 5, about which heavy perforated circular plates 2| and 22, respectively, are secured by means of suitable bolts 23. The lowermost bolts 23 support rollers 24 at the burner end and 25 at the exhaust end for a purpose described hereinafter. The end member 4 at the burner end of the oven also has a clean-out door 28 located at the bottom thereof. Approximately at the hei ht of the oven-door opening 9, the inner plate of each of the end members 4 and 5 is provided with a fixed curved guide channel 21 (Figure 6) whose purpose will be described later.

A door 28 (Figures 1 and 6) is hinged at 29, along its bottom edge, to the lower edge of the door opening 9, a d is provided at each end with a stay chain 30 (Figure 3) and with a door latch 3| hooking around a roller stud keeper 32 fixed on each end of the oven body I The door latches 3| are fixed on the ends of a shaft 33, mounted on door 28 by straps 34 and rotatable about its axis by means of a. handle 35, to raise or lower the latches 3| to lock ng or unlock ng po ition. The stay chains 38 su ort the door in a horizontal open position for lo d ng or unloa ln the oven.

The above-described oven-body structure is supported by any suitable means s ch as angle members formed of the upright sections 36 and 36, and horizontal sections 3? and 31', secured to the end rings 7 and IS. The oven structure may be mounted on a truck for portability or may be mounted as a fixed installation.

The reel of the oven is composed of a rotary radiator tube 38 (Figures 5, 6 and 15), Shulf" supporting rings 39 at each end of the oven, and the shelves 40, described in detail hereinafter. The radiator tube or flue 38 extends substantially the entire length of the interior of the oven and has fixed to its ends the terminal tubes 45 and 32 of smaller diameter than the radiator tube and projecting outwardly beyond the end members ii and 5 of the oven through the holes 20 therein. These open tubes 4| and-42 have flanges at their inner ends which are bolted to the plates 33 and d4, welded within the ends of the radiator tube. At the burner end of the oven the outer end of tube 4| has secured thereto a worm gear ring 35 (Figures 5, 12 and 22) by means of bolts 45'. The worm gear ring 45 is supported for free rotation on the rollers 24, the gear teeth 46 of the gear ring extending into central grooves 41 of the rollers 24 to prevent endwise movement of the gear ring and radiator tube 38 and yet provide for rotation of the same about its longitudinal axis. At the end of the oven remote from the burner, l. e., the exhaust end, the open tube 42 of the radiator tube 38 is supported for free rotation on the rollers 25 secured to the plate 22. The worm gear ring 45 is actuated by a worm 68 located above the same and mounted for rotation on plate 2| on end member 4 at the burner end of the oven by means of bearings 49 held in angle brackets 50. The worm 48 has a squared projection 5i at one end which fits into a socket on the end of a shaft 52 (Figure 3), carrying at its other end a chain-driven sprocket wheel 53. The sprocket wheel 53 has a clutch connection 54 to the shaft 52, the clutch 54 being maintained in engagement by a spring in conventional manner. A clutch bar 58 is provided which extends across the end of the oven, so that it can be moved, as described hereinafter, to push the sprocket wheel 53 outwardly against the tension of the clutch spring, thus releasing the clutch 54 and stopping the oven reel. The clutch 54 is designed to slip on overload to prevent damage to the apparatus from overloading, or other cause. The clutch bar 58 is moved by a hand-operated shifting pole 59 (Figures 1 and 3), horizontall positioned above the door open ng 9, which pole is pivotally connected to the bell crank 60, pivotally connected to the clutch bar 58, and fulcrumed on fixed bracket 6| mounted on the oven body. Shifting the pole 59 cnd ise will o erate clutch bar 58 to disengage the clutch 54. The sprocket chain 52, driving sprocket wheel 53, mav be driven by any suitable means such as the electr c motor 63 (Figure 2), through a flexible coupling 63, th soeed reducer 64 and sprocket 65. A shield 62' is utilized to cover the cha n 62 and snrockets 53 and 65 for reasons of safety. It is thus evident that the radiator tube 38, and tube 41 an 42, are rotated through motor 63, cou ling 63', spced reducer 64, sprocket 65, chain 62, sprocket 53, shaft 52, worm 48 and worm gear ring 45. The other end of worm 48 has a squared projection 5| (Figure 12) which is engageable by a hand crank 54' (Figure 3) for turn ng the oven reel by hand whenever it is deemed d sirable, The motor 63 also o erates, a blower 66 (Figure 2) and an air com ressor 61. A r from the compre sor 61 is forced throu h pipe 61 into a receiver 68 (Figure 3) from whence it passes by the tube 69 to the fuel tank 10 for maintaining the supply of fuel to the burner system of the oven through the tube II. The tube H is provided with a conventional, readily removable strainer (not shown) for removing foreign particles from the fuel. The compressor 81 also forces air through receiver 88 and tube 12 to the burner nozzle for mixing with the fuel. The blower 66 drives air into the combustion chamber through pipe l3| providing for complete combustion in the chamber.

To provide for the lubrication of the worm gear 45, worm 48, and rollers 24 during rotation of the oven reel, there i provided an oil container 13 (Figures 5, 12, 13 and 14) attached to the plate 2|, beneath the rollers 24, and having a free-turning, oil-distributing wheel 14 journaled therein. The bottom of the oil container 13 is rounded for a purpose later to be explained. The oil-distributing Wheel 15 has blades 15 which are covered with a suitable oilcarrying material such as felt. For this purpose a strip of felt I8 is folded over the outer ends of the blades 15, to extend between the blades, and secured to the wheel 14 by a soft metal wire I9 wound about the axle of the wheel and between the blades, thus holding the felt tightly on the blades. The felt-covered teeth of the wheel 14, formed as described, mesh with the teeth 45 of the worm gear 45, and, dipping into the oil in the container 13, convey the same to each tooth of the worm gear. As the gear 45 is turned, the oil is carried by the teeth 46 to the rollers 24 and to worm 48, and then conveyed by the latter to flow to the bearings 49.

The gear 45, worm 48, rollers 24, and the above-described lubricating mechanism for the same, are all inclosed in the housing 11 (F gures 3 and 5) secured to the plate 2| on the burner end of the oven. The bottom of the oil container I3 is rounded so that the same can be encompassed conveniently by the housing 11. A filling nozzle I8 projects through the housing 11 to enable the oil container 13 to be filled from the outside of the housing. The housing 11 has a central opening I9 therethrough to receive the burner 88, to be described hereinafter. Around opening I9 and extending inwardly from housing I1 is an asbestos sealing ring 8| (Figure 21) which is spring actuated by supporting springs ll, mounted on housing 11, to press against the surface 82 of ring gear 45 and against housing 11 to prevent combustion gases from entering the baking chamber through housing 11 and opening 28 in end plate 4.

The shelf-supporting rings 39 (Figures 5, 6 and 15), one at each end of the oven, are of angle cross-section and are secured to the radiator tube 38 for rotation therewith by means of the angles 83, whch are conveniently welded to the rings 39 and bolted to the plates 43 and 44 within the ends of the radiator tube. Bearings 84 are secured, at evenly spaced locations about the periphery of the shelf rings 39, which bearings pivotally support stabilizer arms 85 whose opposite ends are pivoted in the stabilizer tie rings 85. The ends of the stabilizer arms 85, which are pivoted in the stabilizer rings 85, bear rollers 81 for a purpose later to appear. The shelves 48 are rigidly secured to the stabilizer arms 85 at the bearings 84. The parts are so designed that as the drive mechanism rotates the radiator tube 38 and the shelf supporting rings 39, the stabilizer tie rings 86 will rotate in synchronism in such manner, and as described hereinafter, that the stabilizer arms will be substantially vertical at all times, thus keeping the shelves 49 in a horizontally disposed position at all times.

The shelves 40 (Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11) each consist of an elongated rectangular frame formed of a Pair of front and rear steel angles 88 connected at their ends by angle plates 89 and stiffened by a longitudinal truss rod 99 and transverse tie rods 99'. The angle plates 89 have horizontal portions 9! for carrying angles 88, and vertical, perforated, triangular portions 92 rigidly secured to the stabilizer arms 85. The angle 88 at the rear edge of the shelf is positioned with its upstanding edge projecting upwardly, while the angle 88 at the forward edge has its upstanding edge projecting downwardly to facilitate inserting and removing pans. In order to prevent overbaking the tops of the loaves of bread in the pans 98 (shown by dotted lines in Figure 9) on the shelves 49, there is preferably provided a heat screen, denoted generally by 94, to be attached to each shelf. The screen has a light, metal, rigid frame comprising side members 95, triangular end members 95' fixed to members 95 and a bar 95" interconnecting the tops of the end members 95'. The frame supports an expanded metal arch 96, over which is stretched one thickness of fine-mesh wire cloth 91. If desired, an outer strap 96' may encircle the base of the screen 94. The frame is hinged at 98' at pan height above the shelf to brackets 98 suitably fixed to the plates 89. Figure 9 shows a baking pan 93 in position denoted by dotted lines. At the front side, the heat screen in lowered position rests on the front edges of the pans 93. When the shelves are empty, or when smaller pans are used, the front end of the screen may be also supported in its low position by a member 89' fixed on one end of the shelf, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. For holding the screen open in its raised position in the region of door opening 9 when pans are to be inserted and/or removed, there is provided a hook 99 (Figures 6, 11 and 11a) pivoted in the end wall 4 at 99 and weighted by a weight I 00 to maintain-the hook in open, outward position when free, as shown in Figure 11. A keeper IUI is fixed to the frame member 95' of the screen and projects therefrom for cooperation with the hook 99. Extending through an open ng in the oven over the door, a rod IE2 is provided, having a knob I03 (Figure 6) thereon for abutting and pushing the latching hook 99 inwardly to engage the keeper "H to hold the screen open in its raised position when inserting or removing pans. In use, when a shelf 48 is stopped at door level, the operator lifts the front end of the screen 94 by taking hold of the toothed lifting plate I04, fixed on the front end of the screen, and then with the other hand pushes the knob I03 to push the hook 99 inwardly to engage the keeper I01 to hold the screen in its raised position. The weight of the screen will provide sufficient friction to hold the latch hook 99 and keeper l0! in locking engagement. Then when the shelf 48 is loaded and the reel is set in motion again, upwardly past the door, the top of the rising pan 93 on the shelf will engage the screen 94 and lift same and also the keeper l8! from the latching hook 99. The hook 99 then returns to its open, outward position under the influence of the weight I99. A coil spring I05 is utilized to return knob I03 to its original outward position when released.

In order to stabilize the shelves 40 to remain in 7 a horizontal position throughout the path, the end members 4 and 5 of the oven have the guide channels 21 (Figure 6) secured to the inner plates thereof. The rollers 81, spaced about the stabilizer tie rings 88, successively enter the guide channels 21, thus maintaining at all times the relative posgzion of each tie ring 88 and its complemental shelf-supporting ring 39. In other words, a roller 81 is at all times guided by channel 21 to control the path of rotation of tie ring 88 to insure that the stabilizer arms 85 are always vertically disposed to maintain the shelves 40 in a horizontal position.

A stack-supporting tubular bracket I08 (Fi ures 4 and 5) is inserted into the exhaust end of the radiator tube 38, telescoping within the end of the tube portion 42 in a loose manner, to permit expansion of the radiator tube and to permit rotation of the radiator tube relative to the bracket I06. The bracket I08 forms a continuation of the exhaust passage and is fixed to plate 22 by suitable bolts I01 and spacers I08. A safety door I is hinged to the outer open end of the bracket I06 and is held closed by a spring I I0, so that it can open outwardly to relieve pressure in the radiator tube due to explosion of gases therein. A flange III is provided on bracket I06 for attaching the exhaust pipe 2. A reinforcing spider I08 extends transversely within frame I08 and permits escape of exhaust gases therethrough.

The burner system of the oven includes a stationary fire tube II3 (Figures and 22) extending through the radiator tube 38, which fire tube is supported by suitable bolts at the burner end in the housing 11. At the exhaust end the fire tube is provided with a tubular projection I I4 for reception in a ring I I5 mounted centrally on the spider I08. The fire tube I I3 is preferably made of stainless steel to-resist the corrosive action of the burner flame. A tubular shield II8 fixed to the fire tube covers that portion of the fire tube receiving the most intense heat of the burner, and the fire tube has spaced perforations III, whichperforations are spaced closer together approaching the exhaust end of the tube. A vertically positioned baffle plate H8 is mounted in the radiator tube near its exhaust end, which baflie plate is of smaller diameter than the radiator tube, the arrangement being such that the exhaust gases must leave the radiator (as shown by arrows in Figure 5) at a location near the surface thereof. This arrangement of baffle plate II8, shield H6, and perforations III is for the purpose of assuring an even distribution of heat inside the radiator tube by increasing the amount of heat radiated adjacent the exhaust end of the radiator tube 38 and decreasing the amount of heat radiated adjacent the burner end of the tube.

The oven is preferably heated by an oil or gasoline burner 80 (Figures 3, 5, 6 and'22) consisting of the base plate I to which is attached the perforated cone I2'I, preferably of stainless steel and having a perforated air dispersal plate I22 at its outer end, extending into the fire tube II3. A nozzle I23 for mixing air and fuel for burning is located in the axis of the perforated cone and is connected by the tube I2 to the airsupply receiver 88 and by the tube II to the fuel tank I0. A valve I24, including a control needle I25, controls the flow of the fuel to the nozzle I23. Ignition of the fuel is accomplished in any recognized manner, as by the electrodes I28 inserted through holes I21 in the base plate I20,

forming a spark gap at I28 near the large end of the perforated cone I2I. The terminals of electrodes I28 are partially covered by the shield I28,

and ignition is supplied by a standard step-up ignition transformer I30 connected to electrodes I28. The blower 88 drives air into the combustion chamber through tube I3I, providing for complete combustion in the fire tube H3.

The regulation of the temperature of the oven takes place through the use of an intermittent flame, controlled by a selective automatic timing mechanism. The timing mechanism includes an electrically operated solenoid fuel valve I32 (Figure 19) located in the fuel line II, and housed in a metal case I33 (Figures 1, 3, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 20), and whose operation is controlled, as hereinafter explained, by a rotating timing switch I34 which in turn is actuated by the rotation of the reel of the oven. Thus the solenoid valve I32 in the fuel line automatically controls the flow of fuel from the tank I0 to the nozzle valve I24 of the burner. A conventional manual shutoff valve I35 (Figure 3) is also provided in the fuel line H. The timing switch I34 (Figures 19 and 20) is also inclosed in the metal case I33 which is suitably fastened to one of the base legs, such as the leg 38 of the supporting frame at the burner end. In Figure 19, the solenoid fuel valve I32 is partially cut away to show the timing switch I34. The timin switch has a rotatable shaft I38 extending through the case I 33, which shaft is provided with an insulating sleeve I31, upon which is carried the multiple cam member I38 having four cam lobes I38, I40, MI and I42 serving as electrical contacts. These lobes extend circumferentially about the cam' member I38 and are each of different circumferential length to form contacts of different length. Also the cams are formed with cutouts of different lengths forming electrical breaks of different periods, each cutout being associated with a particular cam lobe. The front panel of the case I33 has a section I43 of insulating material carrying inside the case four contactarms I44 which are arranged to make electrical contact, respectively, with th lobes I38, I40, HI and I42, and another contact arm I45 to contact electrically the body I38 of the cam. Thus as shaft I36 rotates, each of the lobes I39, I40, HI and I42 will contact their respective arms I44 for a different time, depending on the length of the lobe. Also, in view of the cutouts in the lobes there will be alternate making and breaking, the periods of making and breaking varying at each lobe. On the outside of the section of insulating material I43 there is a selective arrangement for selecting the particular cam lobe contact to be brought into the circuit. Thus swingable timer contact arm I48 has a knob I4'I by which it may be brought selectively into contact with any one of six contact buttons I48. Stops I48 limit the movement of arm I46. Four of the buttons I48 are connected, respectively, through contact arms I44 to the cam lobes I39, I40, HI and I42 so that a particular lobe may be brought into the circuit to select a particular period of making and breaking. The other two buttons provide a contact presenting a continuously open circuit and a continuously closed circuit, respectively. A pivoted guard member I33 (Figures 3 and 15) is hinged to upright 38 and which may be pivoted and suitably secured in closed position in front of case I33 to prevent accidental movement of the contact arm I46.

The wiring connections of the timing mechanism are such that with the timer contact arm I46 on the contact button at the extreme right, as viewed in Figure 17, the circuit is continuously open, the solenoid valve I32 is closed, the transformer I30 is not excited, and no flame is formed in the oven burner. When the contact arm is on the contact button at theextreme left, the circuit is continuously closed, the solenoid valve is actuated to open position permitting fuel to flow continuously, and the transformer is excited to actuate the electrodes I26 to ignite the fuel in the burner to present a continuous flame. If the timer arm I46 is moved to the second button from the extreme left, the circuit is alternately made and broken through one of the cam lobes acting as a make-and-break contact. This cam lobe may be such that the burner is on for two periods and oil for one period. If the arm is set on the third button from the left, a different cam lobe is brought into the circuit and the on-period, for example, may be equal to the off-period. With the arm I46 on the fourth button from the left, still a different cam lobe is brought into the circuit to present a different timing, for example, the on-period may be one-half the off-period. When the arm is on the fifth button from the left, the last cam lobe is utilized and the onperiod, for example, may be one-third of the offperiod. It is within the scope of this invention to modify the lengths of the cam lobes to utilize various timing schemes, the timing described being merely a preferred embodiment.

Figure 21 shows a circuit diagram with parts diagrammatically illustrated showing how the parts are electrically connected to perform the operation described above. Any source of electric energy may be utilized, for example, a power line or an individual generator. The transformer I30 and solenoid valve I32 are shown connected in parallel but may be connected in series. When contact arm I 46 is on contact number I, the coils of the transformer I30 and the solenoid I32 are energized continuously and burner operation is continuous. When the arm I46 is on contact number 6, the circuit is open and the burner is inoperative. When the arm I46 is on any of the contacts 2, 3, 4 or 5 there is intermittent energizing of the coils, the timing depending on which cam lobe is in the circuit.

The cam I38 preferably is operated by the rotation of the oven reel so that it rotates once for each two rotations of the reel. The structure for performing and synchronizing this operation is as follows: Outside the inclosing case I33, the shaft I36 carries a ratchet I40 which is actuated by a pawl I50 (Figures 3. 15, 16 and 18) The pawl I50 passes through a hole I5I (Figures 15 and 16) in the oven and is connected to the lower end of a link I50 pivoted to the lower end of an actuating arm I52 pivoted upon a bracket I53 fixed to the oven. The pawl is held in its lowermost position by a spring I54. The actuating arm I52 has a rounded portion I55 on its upper end which engages the rollers 81, successively, which are spaced about the stabilizer ring 86, whereby the actuating arm is rotated about its pivot to raise the pawl I50 intermittently. Upon disengagement of the actuating arm I52 from each of the rollers 81, the pawl I50 is returned to its lowermost position by the spring I54 and moves the ratchet I49 one notch, thus rotating the shaft I36 and cam member I38 in a step-by-step manner as the reel of the oven turns. A holding pawl I56 fixed on case I33 is pounds in the fuel tank I0, the fuel shut-oi? substituted, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed, the form valve I35 near the tank is manually opened. The fuel needle I25 in valve I24 is manually opened about one-fourth of a turn only to restrict the amount of fuel entering the burner. The timer contact arm I46 is manually swung over to the extreme left (as viewed in Figure 17) to the On position to activate the solenoid, valve I32 and the ignition transformer I30, and the flame forms at once. Then the needle I25 in valve I24 is manually adjusted to give a slightly milky-colored flame. The burner is permitted to operate continuously until the desired temperature, measured by thermometer I51, is reached. whereupon the timer arm I46 is turned selectively to one of the other contact buttons to produce a stop-and-go operation of such periodic time as to maintain the temperature desired under the particular baking conditions. To stop the flame, the timer arm I46 is manually swung over to the Off position at the extreme right, as viewed in Figure 17. The exhaust gases pass through the fire tube II3, the radiator tube 38, tube 42, tubular bracket I06 and exhaust tube II2, as shown by arrows in Figure 5.

The mechanical rotation of the oven reel, including the radiator tube 38 and shelves 40, is controlled by the shifter bar 59 over door 28, as described above, which bar is shifted to engage or disengage shaft 52 from the main drive to start or stop rotation of the oven reel. For loading the pans in the oven, the hand crank 54 may be utilized to turn the oven reel by hand to bring each of the shelves 40 successively to door level for loading.

It is evident that a bakers reel-type oven has been provided that embodies a rotary radiator tube or flue for distributing the heat uniformly to all the products being baked and includes a selective time-controlled burner to provide automatically for a substantially uniform, predetermined temperature throughout the whole baking period, and in which the timing of burning may be varied to obtain different temperatures for operation, and in which the burner is automatically controlled in synchronization with the speed of rotation of the oven reel. It is also evident that this invention provides a system of lubrication in a rotary reel-type oven which thoroughly and efllciently lubricates various moving parts normally difficult to lubricate because of their proximity to the highly heated portions of the oven. It is also apparent that an efficient screen cover, to prevent overbaking the tops of products, has been provided, which is permanently hinged to each shelf and which may be raised and lowered with a minimum of manual manipulation.

While the invention has been described in more or less detail, it is not to be limited thereby, as changes may be made in the form, arrangement and construction of parts, and equivalents may be hereinbefore described being merely a preferred em odiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a reel-type oven, an oven body having a pair of end walls, a pair of freely turning rollers mounted exterior-1y on at least one of said end walls, a radiator tube extending through said oven body and mounted for rotation on said rollers, gear teeth fixed on one end of said radiator tube, said rollers having grooves in the plane of the gear teeth for freely receiving said gear teeth, and means including said gear teeth for rotating said radiator tube.

2. In a reel-type oven, an oven body, a pair of freely rotatable rollers mounted exteriorly on said oven body, a radiator tube extending through said oven body and mounted for rotation on said rollers, gear teeth fixed on one end of said radiator tube, said rollers provided with grooves in the plane of the gear teeth for freely receiving said gear teeth, a fixed burner assembly mounted on said oven body providing heat through said one end of said radiator tube, and means for lubricating said gear teeth and said rollers.

3. An oven comprising an oven chamber, a conveyor in said chamber, a plurality of shelves mounted on said conveyor for supporting baking pans, and a heat screen pivotally mounted on each of said shelves and adapted to rest on baking pans when lowered.

4. An oven comprising an oven body, a door opening in one of the walls of said oven body, a conveyor mounted for rotation within said oven body, a plurality of shelves for supporting baking pans, mounted on said conveyor, a heat screen for covering balnng pans. pivotally mounted at the rear of each of said shelves, and means for holding each of said heat screens in raised position.

5. An oven as claimed in claim 4 wherein said last-mentioned means is positioned at the door opening to receive the weight of the screen and is to be released automatically responsive to movement of aid conveyor.

6. oven as claimed in claim 4, wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a projection on said screen and holding means mounted on one of the walls of said oven.

'7. An oven as claimed in claim 4, wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a latch fixed to said screen and a hook mounted in one of the walls of said oven, and wherein means accessible at the front of said oven is provided to position said hook for engagement with said latch.

8. In an oven containing shelves for supporting baking pans, a heat screen for covering said pans comprising a frame and a wire mesh covering said frame.

9. In an oven, a shelf for supporting baking pans, and a heat screen for covering said pans, pivotally mounted to said shelf at pan height and resting on said pans.

10. In an oven, a shelf for supporting baking pans, a heat screen for covering said pans, pivotally mounted at pan height at the rear of said shelf and resting on pans at the front of said shelf, and means for supporting the front of said screen when pans are not used.

11. An oven comprising an oven body, a door opening in one of the walls of said oven body, a conveyor mounted for rotation within said oven body, a plurality of shelves for supporting baking pans, mounted on said conveyor, a heat screen pivotally mounted at the rear of each of said shelves for covering baking pans, means for holding each of said heat screens in raised position, said means comprising a latch mounted on the interior of the oven and adapted to be moved into cooperation with each screen as the screens are successively brought into position adjacent thereto.

12. An oven comprising an oven body, a door opening in one of the walls of said oven body, a conveyor mounted for rotation within said oven body, a plurality of shelves for supporting baking pans, mounted on said conveyor, a heat screen pivotally mounted at the rear of each of said shelves for covering baking pans, and a latch mounted on the interior of the oven adjacent the door opening for successive cooperation with the several screens as they are brought to position at the door opening.

13. An oven comprising an oven chamber, a fluid fuel burner for said oven, an oven reel rotatably mounted in the oven, an electricallyoperated valve for said burner, and means intermittently operated by the reel for controlling the operation of said valve.

14. An oven comprising an oven chamber, a fluid fuel burner for said oven, an oven reel rotatably mounted in the oven, electrically-operated means for rotating said reel, a solenoidoperated valve for said burner, and means intermittently operated by the reel for controlling the fiow of current to the solenoid.

, 15. An oven comprising an oven chamber, a fiuid fuel burner for said oven, an oven reel rotatably mounted in the oven, electrically-operated means for rotating said reel, a solenoidoperated valve for said burner, a rotary means for controlling the fiow of current to the solenoid, a pawl and ratchet for operating said rotary means, and means carried by the reel for operating the pawl and ratchet.

16. An oven comprising an oven chamber, a radiator tube extending through said chamber, a fire tube extending into said radiator tube and provided with openings spaced along its length, a. burner for projecting a flame into one end of the fire tube, and a circular shield surrounding the end of the fire tube into which the fiame is projected.

17. An oven comprising an oven chamber, a radiator tube extending through said chamber, a fire tube extending into and through said radiator tube, a burner for projecting a flame into one end of the fire tube, said fire tube provided with spaced openings throughout its length to permit the passage of the products of combustion from, the fire tube into the radiator tube, and a disc-like baffle mounted in the radiator tube adjacent the exit end thereof, said baihe being spaced from the inner wall of the radiator tube to provide an annular passage for the discharge of the products of combustion.

18. An oven comprising an oven chamber, a radiator tube extending through said chamber, a fire tube extending into and through said radiator tube, a burn r for projecting a flame into one end of the fire tube, said fire tube provided with spaced openings throughout its length to permit the passage of the products of combustion from the fire tube into the radiator tube, a disclike baflle mounted in the radiator tube adjacent the exit end thereof, said baffle being spaced from the inner wall of the radiator tube to provide an annular passage for the discharge of the products of combustion, and a circular shield surrounding the end of the fire tube into which the flame is projected.

STYLES T. HOWARD.

(References on following page) 13 14 REFERENCES CITED Number Name Date The following references are of record in the 1943053 Bolsset 1934 file of t t: 2,040,328 01501? M y v 2,041,930 Houhs May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,002,070 Redmond Nov. 24, 1936 Number Name Date 2,145,432 HOllliS Jan. 31, 1939 775,913 Dietz Nov, 29, 1904 2,164,954 S p July 4, 1939 799,746 Marsh Sept, 19, 1905 2,212,868 Strong Au 2 1940 1,483,167 Eichner Feb, 12, 1924 2,219,636 wartz Oct. 29, 1940 1,672,954 Pointon June 12, 1928 10 2,250,919 Skelley u y 9, 1 1 ,726,520 Kramer Aug 27, 9 9 ,2 ,15 Be k et a1. Aug. 12. 1941 1,838,395 Hatch Dec. 29, 1931 2,385,919 Helm 1 

